In today's WSJ, reporters Susan Pulliam, Michael Rothfeld and Jenny Strasburg have a terrific article about FBI agent David Makol. Makol is the FBI's go-to guy for "flipping" suspects in insider trading investigations, i.e., persuading them to wear a wire or otherwise gather evidence against their friends or business colleagues. 

The article explains some of Makol's tactics, which have proven quite successful. These include gathering detailed information about the person he seeks to flip, then sharing some of that information with the subject "to persuade the person that the government already knows so much that there is little choice but to cooperate." Sometimes Makol, along with other agents, will approach the subject without warning in a parking lot or in a Subway restaurant. Other times they will visit the subject at home, at an awkward time such as when the subject's wife and children will soon be returning home from school.

If you ever were curious as to how the FBI flips witnesses, this is a must-read article. The WSJ also has a video interview with one of the reporters, and footage of an actual attempt by the FBI to visit one subject's home (below).

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